Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Los Primos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina? Here's What You Need To Know
I've sued more reckless bars for failing to adhere to liquor laws than anyone else in the state of Texas. With three decades of experience and hundreds of cases behind me, I have seen just how frequently bars put profit before safety and over-serve alcohol, in spite of their legal obligation to serve responsibly. While the general public might see or hear of drunk driving accidents from time to time, it doesn't tend to hear as much about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. In order to raise more awareness of this topic, I spend a portion of my time researching the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's complaint database and writing about my findings here on my website. If you think you might have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim, don't hesitate to call my office at (855) 326-0000.
Los Primos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is located in Glen Rose, Texas. While most of its visitors come for the homestyle Mexican food, the restaurant has also received a number of visits from the TABC in recent years due to complaints alleging liquor law violations. Between 2015 and 2018, authorities conducted three investigations into alcohol service practices at Los Primos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina.
In my three decades of legal practice, rarely have I seen bar end up involved in a wrongful death or injury case that didn't have a history of complaints on file with TABC. Almost every bar I've ever sued was already on the authorities radar, so when I see a bar that has been investigated several times over a short period, it raises my concern that it could one day play a part in an accident.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence, it doesn't necessarily mean an establishment is innocent, either. The purpose of this article is simply to relay publicly-available information about incidents where the TABC has investigated Los Primos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Los Primos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Between 2015 and 2018
Glen Rose - 902 Ne Big Bend Trail
Allegations:
On 12/17/2015, the TABC received a complaint from a concerned citizen that alleged that the bar sold alcohol to a minor and an intoxicated person.
Authorities followed up with an investigation shortly thereafter and found sufficient evidence to back up the first allegation, which they classified as both a criminal and administrative violation. After handing down unspecified penalties, TABC agents closed this case on 02/14/2016.
The next citizen complaint came on 03/23/2017, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a customer who was already drunk.
The ensuing investigation did not turn up any evidence of a violation for the TABC to take action. Thus, investigators chose to shut this case on 05/06/2017.
A complaint from an unnamed source reached the TABC on 04/30/2018, claiming again that the bar sold alcohol to a patron under the age of 21.
For most liquor law violations, the TABC requires either video footage of the incident or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. In this particular instance, authorities had neither. As a result, the case came to a close on 06/13/2018.
Texas Law Says Accident Victims Can Sue Bad Bars
If you would like to learn more about Texas dram shop law (i.e. lawsuits against bars who play a role in injurious or fatal accidents), please visit our Texas Dram Shop Law Info Page.
